Top-spinning device



Feb. 21, 1933. A. F, MORGAN TOP SPINNING DEVICE Filed Nov. 8, 1932 A Patented Feb. 21, 1933 arca ALLIE FONZO MORGAN, OF NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA TOP-SPINNING DEVICE Application led November 8, 1932. Serial No. 641,795.

The invention aims to provide an exceptionally simple and inexpensive, and an easily operable device for spinning tops, and with this end in view, the inventionresides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the reelcarrying frame.

Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view showing portions of the reel-carrying frame before connection with each other.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a modification.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view on line 5 5 of Fig. 4. y

In the drawing above briefly described, the numeral 10 denotes a cylindrical casing hav-- ing a closed upper end 11 and an open lower end, the latter being provided with a bead 12. Snugly fitted within the upper portion of the casing 10, is a frame 13 having two side bars 14 and two end bars 15 and 16. The side bars 14 extend longitudinally of and lie against the side wall of the casing 10, the end barV 15 extends diametrically of said casing immediately under its upper end 11, and the end bar 16 extends diametrically of said casing between its upper and lower ends. Preferably, the bars 14 and 15 are formed from a single strip of sheet metal bent into U- shape and having notches 17 in its ends, so that said ends are provided with projecting tongues 18. When this construction is used, the end bar 16 is formed from a single strip of sheet metal and is provided with projecting 'tongues 19 at its ends. The tongues 19 pass through the notches 17 and are bent upwardly against the outer sides of the side bars 14, and the tongues 18 are bent inwardly against the lower side of the end bar 16. Y

The end bars 15 and 16 are formed with central vertically alined bearing openings 20 in which the shaft 21 of a reel is rotatably mounted. This reel is within the confines of the frame 13 and it may be of double form as seen at 22 in Fig. 1, or of single form as seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the latter reel being denoted at 22. When the reel 22 is used, two

spinning cords 23 and '23 posite directions upon the two reel portions so that when one of these cords is pulled to spin the reel, the other cord will be rewound, and vice versa. The side wall of the casing 10 is formed with openings 24 through which the cords 23 and 23 pass, and said openings are preferably provided with eyelets through which the cords may freely slide without danger of injury. y

"When the single form of reel shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is used, a suitable spring 25, similar to a clock spring, is used toretrogradely rotate said reel to rewind the single spinning cord 26. One end of the spring 25 is secured to the reel shaft 21 and the other end of said are wound in opspring may be secured to an eye 27 carried by l one of the side bars 14 of the frame 13.

A top spinning cup 28 is located within the lower portion of the casing 10 and iscentrally secured at its upper end to the lower end of the reel shaft 21. The open lower end of the cup 28'is shaped to rather snugly receive the upper end of a top T, so that when the device is operated by pulling upon one of the cords 23 or 23', or upon the cord 26, the reel shaft, cup and top will be rapidly spun, and when the cord is completely unwound` from the reel and the rotation of reel, shaft and cup is thus checked, the momentum of the spinning top will break the frictional connection between top and cup, so that said top will continue to spin.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the device is exceptionally simple and inexpensive, may be factured, may be sold at small cost, and nevertheless will produce a great deal of amusement. Y

The details disclosed are preferred, but within the scope of the invention as claimed, minor variations maybe made.

. I claim:-

easily and cheaply manu- A top spinning device comprising a sheet f metal frame having vertical side bars disposed in parallel planes, and horizontal end bars disposed in parallel planes, vsaid end bars having central bearing openings, a vertical shaft passing through said bearing openings and having a. reel between said end bars, a downwardly opening top spinning cup secured at its upper end to the lower end of said shaft, the diameter of said cup being slightly less than the distance between the outer sides of said frame side bars, a oylindrical sheet metal easing whose side wall surrounds said frame and said cup and frictionally engages said outer sides of said frame side bars, said casing having an open beaded lower end surrounding the rim of said @up and having an upper end wall overlying said frame and the upper end of said shaft, and a cord wound on Said reel and ex-r tending to the exterior of the casing.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature.

ALLIE FONZO MORGAN. f 

